Provincial Government Recognizes International Day Against Homophobia

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative, is joining leaders and community groups around the world to acknowledge today, May 17, as the International Day Against Homophobia in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Embracing and celebrating the diversity of all people in the province, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, is an integral commitment of our government,” said Minister Johnson. “As we prepare to move into phase two of our Violence Prevention Initiative, we will continue to focus on breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive society, free from violence and abuse.”

The theme of this year’s international campaign is Fight the Homophobia Web Virus in recognition of how homophobia has become increasingly present on the Internet and through social media. A number of community stakeholder organizations involved in the Violence Prevention Initiative, including Planned Parenthood, are hosting events today to raise awareness of the need to break down barriers in the hopes of a more inclusive society.

“Planned Parenthood brings together community leaders, organizations, and government agencies to help raise awareness of homophobia’s and transphobia’s harmful effects,” said Costa Kasimos, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood. “Through Camp Eclipse, the St. John’s LGBTQ Youth Group, and the Coalition for LGBTQ Inclusion, we empower people and organizations to take positive, solution-focused actions to help end discrimination, and to create a province filled with understanding, acceptance, and compassion.”

The Provincial Government continues to move forward on a number of initiatives to prevent violence against all people at risk, including an investment of $90,000 in the My Gay-Straight Alliance resource which provides support for administrators, teachers, and students who want to establish a gay-straight alliance in their school. Developed in partnership with Egale Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in the country to offer such a resource to all schools that offer Grades 7-12.

More information on these and other violence prevention tools can be found by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/vpi 

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2013 05 17                                 10:10 a.m.